A merchandising and/or display system for displaying objects is disclosed. The display system for differently sized vehicles comprises a base, a first plate configured to be rotated relative to the base, members coupled to the first plate, a mounting plate comprising a number of slots and coupled to the members, and supports configured to be coupled to the mounting plate at locations along the slots. The supports are configured to be adjustable to accommodate differently sized vehicles.
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6. A merchandising system for an object having a frame comprising:
a plate; a number of apertures comprising a series of parallel slots provided in the plate; a support received in one of the parallel slots and configured to couple with the plate; wherein the support couples with the frame of the object, and the support is configured to be adjusted relative to the plate to accommodate objects of different size.
1. A display system for differently sized vehicles, the display system comprising:
a base; a first plate configured to be rotated relative to the base; members coupled to the first plate; a mounting plate comprising a number of slots and coupled to the members; and supports configured to be coupled to the mounting plate at locations along the slots; wherein the supports are configured to be adjustable to accommodate differently sized vehicles.
3. The display system of
4. The display system of
a base; and a clamp portion coupled to the base; wherein a portion of the vehicle is received between the base and the clamp portion.
5. The display system of
a hook adjustably coupled to the mounting plate; and a strap coupled to the hook; wherein the strap is configured to couple with a portion of the vehicle.
8. The merchandising system of
a base; and a member; wherein the frame of the object is received between the base and the member.
10. The merchandising system of
13. The merchandising system of
a hook adjustably coupled to the plate; and a strap coupled to the hook; wherein the strap is configured to couple with a portion of the object.
14. The merchandising system of
15. The merchandising system of
16. The merchandising system of
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The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/293,351 ("DISPLAY SYSTEM") filed May 22, 2001 under 35 U.S.C. §119, incorporated in the present application by reference.
The present inventions relate to merchandising systems. The present inventions more specifically relate to a merchandising system providing for support and display of a vehicle or the like.
It is known to provide for a merchandising system that may be used for vehicles and the like. Such known merchandising systems do not realize certain advantageous features (and/or combinations of features).
It would be advantageous to provide a merchandising system for an object (such as vehicle, motorcycle, etc.) of a type disclosed in the present application that may be easily adjustable and reconfigurable for a variety of different sized and shaped objects. It would further be advantageous to provide a merchandising system which may be easily adapted to support a variety of different sized and shaped products. It would further be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that provides a universal interface (or mount) for various products (including vehicles such as motorcycles) having a variety of mounting structures such as frames. It would further be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that may be used on a variety of moveable and non-moveable bases. It would further be advantageous to provide a merchandising system that provides selective adjustability for various products (e.g. a single interface may accommodate a variety of different products and/or frames having different mounting points).
It would be desirable to provide a merchandising that provides any one or more of these or other advantageous features.
The present invention relates to a merchandising system for displaying objects. The objects have mounting points at different locations. The merchandising system comprises a base, an interface coupled to the base, and at least one support coupled to the interface. The at least one support is configured to be coupled to the interface at a first position to provide a first mounting arrangement and is configured to be coupled to the interface at a second position to provide a second mounting arrangement.
The present invention also relates to a merchandising system for differently sized vehicles. The display system comprises a base, a first plate configured to be rotated relative to the base, members coupled to the first plate, a mounting plate coupled to the members, and supports configured to be coupled to the mounting plate. The supports are configured to be adjustable to accommodate differently sized vehicles.
The present invention further relates to a merchandising system for an object having a frame. The merchandising system comprises a plate, a number of apertures provided in the plate, a support configured to be received in one aperture and configured to couple with the plate. The support couples with the frame of the object, and the support is configured to be adjusted relative to the plate to accommodate objects of different size.
Referring to the FIGURES, exemplary embodiments of a merchandising system are shown. The merchandising system may provide for the display and presentation of a wide variety of articles or objects such as vehicles, motorcycles, automobiles, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, products, etc. The merchandising system may be used in environments such as display rooms, show rooms, etc.
As shown in the FIGURES, the merchandising system advantageously allows differently sized objects to be displayed on a single merchandising system. A single merchandising system may be reconfigured to accommodate a number of different sizes, shapes and configurations of objects while not requiring significant time or effort for accomplishing the reconfiguration. The merchandising systems shown are intended to provide a single system which may accommodate variously sized objects. According to a particularly preferred embodiment the object is a motorcycle.
Referring to
Base 20 (which may be a platform, stand, etc.) may generally comprise a housing 22, a motor 26, and lights 28.
Housing 22 of base 20 generally defines the outer perimeter of base 20. As shown in
In an effort to enhance visual appeal of the object, the merchandising system may move (e.g. rotate, etc.) the object relative to the base. According to one exemplary embodiment shown in
To provide rotation (or movement), motor 26 may be provided in base 20 of merchandising system 10. Motor 26 may be coupled to housing 22 with a variety of fasteners (not shown) including mechanical fasteners, screws, bolts, adhesives, etc. Motor 26 allows for the powered movement or rotation of the object. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the motor may be commercially available under the name "Turn-Plate," (Model No. U 5000) from Outwater Plastic Industries, of Wood-Ridge, N.J. According to alternative embodiments, the motor may be of any conventional type of motor capable of rotating the object. The merchandising system may use a "direct drive" (i.e. the motor may be have a "direct" drive link or coupling with the object, e.g. by a rigid connection between the motor and the interface/object). According to alternative embodiments, the merchandising system may use an "indirect drive" (i.e. the motor may be coupled to the object via other drive assemblies such as belts, gear trains, transmissions, piston/rocker or cam/eccentric action etc.) that may allow for adjustment and/or adaptation of movement (e.g. linear or eccentric or rotation or some combination) for a particular application. For example, as shown in
In an effort to further enhance the visual or aesthetic appeal of the object (or objects) upon merchandising system 10, base 20 may be provided with various lights or lighting effects (shown as lights 28). Such lighting effects may be used to illuminate or feature the object or to illuminate various features of the object.
As shown in
According to a particularly preferred embodiment (shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Interface 40 may provide a selectively adaptable and/or reconfigurable interface between a variety of objects (such as a displayed products, vehicles, motorcycles, etc.) and base 20. According to alternative embodiments, the interface may be mounted to a variety of different structures, including rotating, non-rotating, moveable, and non-moveable bases.
Merchandising system 10 may further comprise supports 80 (which may be posts, frame brackets, frame clamps, support structures, etc.). Supports 80 (shown in
Base 82 may be a structural support member. Base 82 may include a surface 86 configured to fit or support a structural member of the object (e.g. a frame, or other suitable support structure). (See frame member 194 in
The slots provided in the interface, in conjunction with the supports, provide a selectively reconfigurable interface and support structure between a variety of vehicles such as various models of motorcycles, and the base. The bases may be provided in a variety of positions and orientations in the various slots of the interface. Depending upon the support and/or balance requirements of the object, the bases may be provided in the variety of positions to offer support of the object above a display floor. The selective adaptability and/or reconfigurability of the interface and/or the supports advantageously may reduce the number of parts required, while providing a "universal" display for use with a plurality of different vehicles and/or frame configurations (e.g. the plate and supports provide an interface for securing any of a variety of products or categories of objects that may have differing frame configurations or mounting points or may provide multiple mounting points or options for a single object or single type of objects).
Once the displayed product is positioned, member 84 may be attached to base 82. Member 84 may be configured to have a curved portion or finger portion (shown as portion 94) which wraps around, or on top of, the support structure of the object (e.g. a frame of a motorcycle). Member 84 may be attached to base 82 using a fastener 96 (shown as a bolt). When member 84 is installed, movement of the object relative to interface 40 is restrained. Member 84 may be provided with a slot 98. Once partially assembled, member 84 may be slid in a direction parallel with the slot 98, allowing member 84 to accept a variety of different sized structural members (e.g. frame configurations, mounting points, frame sizes). Supports 80 may be an adjustable support or clamp configured to accept a variety of sized structural members.
Slots 42 may be disposed in any desired location, along any desired axis, and any needed length to provide selective arrangement and placement of supports 80. Interface 40 is capable of receiving supports 80 at a variety of positions and locations. The supports may be configured and reconfigured as necessary. The ability to provide supports 80 in a variety of locations allows for a variety of objects to be supported and displayed on merchandising system 10. Additionally, a single object may be supported at a variety of different support positions. Providing a "universal" interface reduces construction costs, tooling costs, and design costs which could result if an individual display had to be constructed for a selected individual product configuration.
Indicia and/or instructions may be provided at or on the interface to specify or assist with the placement or position of the supports and may provide dimension and/or identification of a particular frame or product or vehicle, etc. (For example, see
As shown in
Web 102 may be attached to a suitable portion of the object (e.g. foot pegs, various locations of a frame, handle bars, etc.) (shown in
Web 102 may be a pliable or flexible material suitable to provide sufficient holding power when attached to the object. Web 102, according to a particularly preferred embodiment may be constructed from nylon webbing. Web 102 may further include apertures 110 (shown as a hole surrounded by a reinforcing washer) to be connected to hook 104.
Hook 104 may be attached to web 102 through apertures 110. Retainer 106 is provided for securing hook 104 to interface 40. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, retainer 106 is held in place on a bottom side of interface 40 with fastener 108 (shown as a nut). Fastener 108 attaches to a threaded portion on hook 104. As fastener 108 is tightened, hook 104 increases the holding force on web 102, thereby holding the object more firmly in place.
According to various exemplary embodiments, the components of the merchandising system may be made from a variety of materials which provide sufficient strength and rigidity to support and display the object. Such materials may include metals such as steel, steel alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, other various metals and alloys, composites, polymers, etc.
In an alternative embodiment, the interface may be provided in the form of an "open" frame or direct mounting to an adapter on the output shaft provided on the motor or the cover plate. In this alternative embodiment, the supports may be directly coupled to the motor or the cover plate. According to other alternative embodiments, the mounting structures may have other shapes and/or configurations. According to other alternative embodiments, the base may be a stationary (e.g. non-rotating) base such as a frame, bracket, shelf, or other support structure, or the interface may be installed upon a floor or wall or other "fixed" structure (e.g. without a "base").
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the merchandising system as shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements show as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces (e.g. clamps, slots, plate, etc.) may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members, connectors, or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied (e.g. by variations in the number of engagement slots or size of the engagement slots or type of engagement). It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures and combinations. It should also be noted that the display system may be used in association with a rotating display, or alternatively other, fixed and non-movable displays or any of a wide variety of other surfaces in any of a wide variety of other applications. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present inventions. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present inventions.
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Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
May 22 2002 | DCI Marketing, Inc. | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Jun 20 2002 | JOHNSON, ALLEN E | DCI MARKETING, INC | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 013053 | /0523 |
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